Selective-thread-change mechanism for knitting machines



Feb. 2, 1926. 1,571,769

7 w. FELS SELECTIVE THREAD CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original Filed y 8, 1920 6 Shee t l INVENTOR MM 9142/ ATTORNEY Feb. 2 1926. 1,571,769

- w. FELS I SELECTIVE THREAD CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original Filed July 8, 1920 6 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR WW 7 Y/Q ATTORNEY Feb-2,1926. 1,571,769

I W. FELS SELECTIVE THREAD CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original Filed y 8, 1920' 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR m Feb. 2 1926. 1,571,769

W. FELS SELECTIVE THREAD CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original File ly 8. 1920 6 s ts-s t 4 FWZIU JOMPZOU Q33 P v OOOOO O O 0 lNVENTO R ATTORNEY Feb. 2,1926. 1,571,769 w-. FELS SELECTIVE THREAD CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINE Qrizina] Filed July 8, 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR MQVflM-W M BY fad/ V0. m V AJATTORNEY Feb. 2,1926.

. .W. FELS SELECTIVE THREAD CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 BY y My 6%,

INVENTOR 7 17 9 ATTORNEY Original Filed July 8,

Patented Feb. 2; 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,571,769 PATENT orrica.

WILLIAM runs, or ELIBERTA, ALABAMA, assrc aon To max n'rnnoona, or

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

SELECTIVE-THREAD-CHANGE MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

Original application filed July 8, 1920, Serial No. 394,678. Divided and this application filed September 3, 1921, Serial No. 498,312. Renewed July 21,1925.

1 '0 all whom it-may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM FELs, a citizen of Austria, residing in Elberta, county of Baldwin, and State of Alabama, have'invented an Improvement in selective Thread- Change Mechanism for Knitting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an im provement in knitting machines, and more particularly to the thread or yarn change mechanism thereof. One object has been to provide a machine which shall be fully or partly automatic and at the same time of relatively simple construction with a minimum of mechanically controlled and actuated parts. A further object has been to provide relatively simple means for preventing injury to the machine in case of careless or erroneous operation.

It is known that knitting machines. automatic in varying degrees, have been devised but these machines are usually of complicated design and involve a multiplicity of mechanical movements which not only make the;,mach,ine' expensive to manufacture, but also cause frequent breakdowns and make it necessary for the operator to devote considerable attention to repairs and adjustments.

According to the present invention, I utilize substantially the well known framework and opposed front and rear needle beds of a flat links links machine, although I do not iritend to. limit' the application of the present invention to machines of this type, it being contemplated that the same or similar principles of operation may be applied to other types of knitting machines with suitable modifications. In connection with the flat double bed machine, I use a reciprocating carriage preferably automatically reversible in directlon and which carries with it suitable means for efiecting the yarn or thread changes to introduce different kinds or colors of yarn or thread intothe fabric. A complete prefera ly include cam positioning means for controlling the action of the needle jacks toproduce either fiat or links links operation according to a predeterminedor der, and. means for varying the stitch length according to a predetermined arrangement, although thedevice forming the subject matt of t p ent app a ion will p f m ogerative knitting machine will alsoits functions independently of the operation of the aforesaid cam positioning and stitch length controlling means.

It is contemplated that yarn changes may be controlled automatically with other pattern changes if desired, and by electrical means through the instrumentality of a suitable pattern chart having perforations ar-' tion will, however. be limited to the invention embodied in the yarn or thread change mechanism as described and disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 394,678 filed July 8, 1920, of which the present application is a divislon.

One embodiment of my invention is illus trated in the drawings accompanying the present specification, and in whlch Figure 1 is a front elevation,

Figure 2,- a top plan view,

Figure 3, a transverse vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4, an end elevation showing the arrangement of the electrical pattern control chart,

Figure 5, an end elevation showing the driving mechanism, I

Figure. 6, a diagrammatic representation of a portion of the electrical pattern control and safety sto system,

' Figure 7, a etail fragmentary view of the patern control chart and co-operating contacts,

Figure 8, a detail view partly in vertical section of the pattern control chart and contact making and breaking mechanism associated therewith,

Figure 9, a top view of the contact making and breaking mechanism associated with the pattern control chart,

Figure 10, an end view of the carriage with portions broken any,

Figure 11, a detail view in plan of the thread carrier control mechanism,

Figure 12, a vertical section of the same.

Referring to the drawings, a machine embodying my invention may conveniently comprise a framework A supporting la fixed rear needle bed B and a front needle bed G preferably slidable both longitudinally and laterally (Figure 2). A reciprocating carriage D is arranged above the needle beds B and C, said carriage being driven by any suitable means such as a motor E operatively connected .to a drive chain 101, said chain having a slotted member 102 adapted to receive and engage the free end 108 of a lever pivotally mounted on the carriage at 10 1- (Figure 2). As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the chain 101 is mounted on sprockets arranged at opposite ends of the machine, said sprockets being driven by a belt or other connection with the motor E. To effect the reciprocating motion of the carriage, means are provided for periodically reversing the direction of the current through the armature of the motor thus reversing the direction of the chain 101. To [accomplish this reversing operation automatically, a reversing switch indicated at F in Figure 6 of the drawings, is interposed in the power circuit, said switch being controlled by a double relay, the opposed magnets of which are alternately energized at the end of each run of the carriage, the circuit being closed through suitable contacts mounted on the framework of the machine and on the carriage respectively. However, before reversing the current in the armature of the motor, it is desirable to reduce the current or otherwise impede the movement of the carriage so as to avoid harmful impact thereof at the ends of its course. As shown in Figure 6, the motor circuit includes the conductors 105 and 106, the latter of which contains a resistance 107 and also a parallel resistance or rheostat 108. Thus, to increase the resistance in the conductor 106, the rheostat 108 may be periodically cut out. This is conveniently accomplished by means of a relay including a magnet 109, said magnet being in circuit with both magnets of the double relay F and also with the fixed contact R at one end of the machine, an adjustable contact R at the opposite end of the machine, and a movable circuit closing contact R mounted on the carriage D. For practical purposes, the magnet 109 and the double relay may operate substantially simultaneously. However, the action of the double relay may be effectively delayed by making the bar 110 thereof heavier than the bar 111. Thus, the current in the motor E will be reduced either simultaneously with or just before the change of direction of the current therein. Obviously, although I have described an revmee automatically reciprocating drive for the carriage, any other suitable means for oscillating the carriage may be employed.

In addition to the automatic features associated with the reversing mechanism, I have also provided automatic means for controlling and actuating in predetermined succession those parts of the device which operate more particularly to form the fabric and to govern the character of the pattern thereof. This automatic control is effected through a combination of electrical and mechanical arrangements which are measurably simpler than those commonly utilized for a similar purpose in the knitting art and, at the same time effect a highly desirable uniformity and certainty of operation. The control apparatus, according to my invention, co-operates with the driving mechanism in such a manner that the necessary changes of certain parts are effected at the proper time to secure the desired design of fabric and also to prevent injury to the machine, the latter result being accomplished through the instrumentality of suitable safety devices. The general scheme of control includes a system of circuits each having one set of contacts which engage according to a predetermined arrangement, so that no change is effected unless both sets of contacts are in engagement simultaneously. Referring to Figures 2 and 6 of the drawings, the periodically operating contacts are represented at H, J and K, the contacts H being fixed at one end of the machine, the contacts J being slidably mounted at the other end of the machine, so that the length of stroke of the carriage may be varied, and the contacts K being mounted on the carriage to reciprocate therewith. Thus, some of the contacts K engage all of the contacts H at each stroke or run of the carriage toward the left end of the machine, while some of the contacts K engage all of the contacts J at each stroke or run toward the right end. of the machine. All of the contacts H and J are in circuit with a rotating drum 201, the details of which are more clearly disclosed in Figures 7 to 9 inclusive. Intermittent movement is imparted to the drum 201 by suitable means connected with the reciprocating carriage and operated thereby. Thus, the carriage is provided with an upwardly projecting cam shaped member 202 (Figure 2) which moves in the path of a lever 203 (Figure 3) and deflects one end of said lever upwardly. The lever 203 is securely fastened to a rod 204 (Figure 2) journaled in the framework of the machine and having a lever arm 20:") secured at one end. A link 206 pivoted at 207 imparts a rocking motion to a pawl carrier 208 pivotally mounted at 209 (Figure 8). A spring pressed pawl 210 engages a ratchet 211 which is operatively connected to the drum 201 and imparts intermittent movement to said drum to the extent of one step during each stroke of the carriage. A contact carrier 212 is mounted adjacent to the drum 201 and is provided with a plurality of perforations adapted to accommodate plunger contacts 213 normally pressed toward the drum by "means of springs 214. The carrier 212 is pivotally mounted at 215 and is connected to the pawl'carrier 208 by means of a link 216. A spring 217 may be provided to hold the contact carrier normally in position to permit the plunger con tacts'213 to engage the peripheral surface of the drum 201 or, when in operation, the surface of a pattern chart 218 arranged to cover the surface of said drum. A. yielding detent 219 engages the ratchet 211 to preventlost motion. As indicated in Figure 7, the pattern chart 218 is provided with perforations 220 which receive corresponding sprocket projections 221 extending from the peri heral surface of the drum 201. The sur ace of the chart may be provided with transverse and longitudinal markings by which the pattern controlling perforations 222 and 223 may be more readily located and identified as to function. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, the pattern chart will move twice between each two of the perforations 220. In other words, the pattern chart will travel adistance equal to the distance between two perforations 220 during a complete oscillation of the carriage D, but the movement will take place in two increments.

Thus, a change perforation 222 occurring on the same transverse line with the perforations 220 will indicate a change to be effected at the end of a run of thecarriage in one direction while a change perforation 223 indicates a change to be eifected at the end of a run of the carriage in the opposite direction.

In operation, the plunger contacts 213 v bear yieldingly against the surface of the pattern chart 218 and, as the perforations 222 and 223 come into register with said plunger contacts, the latter are permitted to extend through said perforations, thus, in each case, closing a circuit. This operation takes place intermediate the ends of the -carrlage runsv so that, when the carriage reaches one end or the other of its course,

one or more changes will take effect, depend.

ing upon the number of perforations through which the plungers- 213 are properly projecting into contact with the drum 201.

In addition to the mechanism thus far described'and intended to effect pattern changes in' connection with the operation of the illustrated embodiment of my invention, there is also mechanism by means of which various kinds and colors of yarn or .thread may be introduced into the fabric.

Itis' well known in the knitting machine art 8 j to provide a plurality of thread carriers op erating in the well known manner in connection with the cam carriage. My invention presents novel apparatus for automatically dropping one thread carrier and placferring to Figure 2 of the drawings, thread carrier guides 601 and 602 are supported in suitable position with respect to the front and rear needle beds 0 and B respectively and in operative relation to the carriage D which carries means for engaging and disengaging, one at a time, a plurality of thread carriers 603, 604 and 605, said thread carriers each being provided with .a shoulder 606 arranged to intercept and engage a plun ger 607 (Figure 11) slidably mounted in the framework of the carriage D, there being a plunger for each thread carrier. As indicated-in Figure 11, each plunger 607 is provided with a projecting lug 608 which may vary in contour or shape to suit any predetermined arrangements of parts. Each of the plungers 607 may be mounted in a recess of the framework of themachine and willbe held normally in depressed thread carrier engaging position b aspring 609 surrounding said plunger an bearing against a shoulder 610 thereon. this. depressed position, it will engage the shoulder 606- and, when the carriage is moved away from the end at which the engagement has taken place, the thread carrier will be moved along with it. The plungers are disengaged from their respective thread carriers by means of cams, such as cam 611 arranged at one end of the machineand cam When the plunger is in ,ing another thread carrier in operation. Re- 7 automatically and by electrical means, the v mechanical features of which are more clearly shown in Figures 10 to 12 while the diagrammatic illustration thereof is shown at P in Figure 6. Referring to Figure 11, two magnets 613 and 614 are mounted on the cam carriage adjacent to the lugs 608,-an 4 armature 615 is pivotally mounted at 616 in operative relation to the i 613 and 6 and is provided with a recess 617 at that end which lies remote from. the coils 613 and detents 618 and 619, the purpose of which -614. The recess 617 is adapted to permit the passage of the free end ofthelug's 608 while at either side of said recess are provided movable plunger detent adapte all is to restrain downward movement of the remaining plungers whereby they remain out of operative relation to their respective thread carriers. Thus, if the magnet 613 is energized when the plungers are riding up on one of the cams 611 or 612, armature 615 will be deflected into the position shown in Figure 11: and the plunger-s will occupy the relative vertical positions shown in Figure 12. If both magnets are energized simultaneously, while the plungers are riding up on one of the cams 611 or 612, the armature will take such a position that the lug 608 on the middle plunger will be permitted to pass through the recess 61'? and the op posite end of the plunger will then engage the corresponding thread carrier. Referring now to Figure '6, it will be seen that the energizing of magnets 613 and 614 is effected upon the closing of control circuits 19 and 20. Inasmuch as contacts lying in these circuits occur in both of the groups H and J, the thread change may take efi'ect at either end of the machine.

In operation, it is contemplated that the points in the formation of the fabric at which thread changes are to occur will be indicated on the control chart by means of suitably positoned perforations. Thus, when one of such perforations is brought into register with one of the pins 213. Figure 7, the corresponding circuit will be closed at the end of the run ol the carriage and when one of the contacts 19 or 20 on the carriage engages a contact 19 or 20 at'either end of the machine, the armature 615 will operate in the manner hereinabove described in co-operation with the thread carriers.

From the foregoing description of my improved thread change mechanism for knitting machines and its method of operation, it will be clear that Iha've provided a device by the use of which pattern variations involving yarn or thread changes can readily be produced automatically and as 'freuently as desired with a minimum of labor. lther advantages arising out of the improved construction both by. itself and associated with other devices common to knitting machines will be apparent.

I claim as my invention: I

1. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprocatable cam carriage, a plurality of thread carriers, means mounted on' the carriage for moving said carriers including a plurality of spring. pressed plungers, a

to retain some of said plungers in inoperative retracted position while permitting another of said plungers tomove into carrier engaging ositionand means for selectively posit onmg said detent to prevent operative move.-'

ment of predetermined plun era. 1 I r 2. In a knitting machme, t e combinationof a reciprocatable cam carriage, a plurality evrvee of thread carriers, means mounted on the carnage for moving said carriers 1nclud1ng a plurality of spring pressed plungers, a

movable plun er detent adapted to retain some of said ungers in inoperative retracted position w ile permitting another of said plungers to move into carrier engaging position and means for selectively positioning said detent to prevent operative movement of predetermined plungers, comprising magnets operativel arran ed with respect to said detent, an means or energizing a predetermined magnet or magnets.

33. In a knitting machine, the combination off a reciprocatable cam carriage, a lurality of thread carriers, means mounted on the carriage for moving said carriers including a plurality of spring pressed plungers, a movable plunger detent adapted to retain some of said plungers in inoperative retracted position while permitting another of said plungers to move into carrier engagin position and means for selectively positioning said detent to prevent operative movement of predetermined plungers, comprising magnets operatively arranged with respect to said detent and means for energizing said magnets including periodically engaging contacts and contacts adapted to engage in predetermined sequence and simultaneously with a circuit closing engagement of said periodically on aging contacts.

4. In a knittin machine, the combination of a reciprocatab e cam carriage, a plurality of thread carriers, carrier engaging members on the carriage, means at the end ofeach run for moving said carrier engaging members out of carrier engaging position and a selectively operated detent on the carriage for retaining some of said members in disengaged osition.

knitting machines having a cam carriage, including a plurality of thread carriers, a plurality of carrier engaging members on the cam carriage, means for moving the car- Se ective thread change mechanism for I rier engaging members to disengaging po'sition at the end of each run of some of the carrier engaging members in disengaged position.

the carriage and a detent on the carriage for retaining elective thread change mechanism. for

knitting mechines having acam carriage, including a plurality of thread carriers, a plurality of carrier engaging members on the cam carriage, means for moving the carrier engaging members to disengagmg posltion at the endof each run of the carri 'e and a pivoted detent movable in both directions. .on the carriage for retaining allbut one of the carrier engaging members in disengaged position. Y

7. Selective thread change mechamsm' for knitting machines having a cam carriage, '1'

including. a plurality of thread carriers, a

' mined members, comprisin electrically opposition at the end of ,each run of the cam carriage.

8. In a knitting machine, the combination of a reciprooatable cam carriage, a lurality of thread-carriers, means mounts on the carriage for moving said carriers includinga plurality of carrier engaging members, a

detent adapted to retain some of said members in inoperative retracted position-Whilepermitting anotherpf said members to move nto carrier engaging position, and means for selectively positioning said detent to prevent operative movement of predetererated detent moving and oldingmeans.

9. In a lmitting machine, the combination of a reciprocatable cam'car'riage, a plurality of thread carriers, means mounted on the carnage for moving said carriers including a plurality of spring pressed carrier; en-

gaging members, a detent adapted to retain some of said members in inoperative retract-ed position while permitting another of said Vmembers to move into carrier engaging position and means for selectively positioning said detent to prevent operative movementof predetermined members, comprising magnetic detent moving and holding means and means for energizm sald mag netic means including periodical y engaging contacts and'contacts adapted to engage in predetermined sequence and simultaneously with a circuit closing engagement of said periodically enga ing contacts.

In testimony'w ereof ,'I have signed my name to this specificatlon this 13 day of July 1921.

WILLIAM FELS. 

